In Salt Lake City's Delta Center, a vacant throne awaits its claimant as Natalia Silva and Cong Wang meet to fill the void left by Valentina Shevchenko's injury-forced departure from the women's flyweight division. Sport, like nature, abhors a vacuum, and UFC 332 offers not only a coronation but a sprawling tableau of ambition — fourteen fights carrying the hopes of veterans seeking final glory, newcomers chasing their first foothold, and contenders navigating the narrow corridor between obscurity and legacy.
UFC 332: Silva vs. Wang Crown New Women's Flyweight Champion in Salt Lake City
Silva and Wang will fight for the vacant women's flyweight title
Mark
So Silva and Wang are fighting for an empty title tonight. What happened to Shevchenko?
Mimi
She had to step away because of an injury. That opened the door for these two to compete for the belt.
Luke
Do we know what the injury is, or how long she's expected to be out?
Mimi
The source just says she vacated due to injury. The specifics aren't detailed.
Mark
And these two—Silva and Wang—they're the top contenders?
Mimi
They're the ones the UFC chose to fight for it. That's the signal the promotion is sending.
Luke
Right, but we don't actually know the ranking logic or whether there were other candidates considered. We know the matchup, not the reasoning.
Mark
Fair. What about the co-main event? Talbott sounds like he's had a moment.
Mimi
He retired Henry Cejudo in December. That's a significant win—Cejudo's a Hall of Famer.
Luke
And now he's fighting Figueiredo, who's held the title twice. That's a real step up.
Mimi
Exactly. It's a chance for Talbott to prove that win wasn't a one-off.
Mark
How many fights are on the card total?
Mimi
Fourteen across the whole event. Early prelims, regular prelims, and the five-fight main card.
Luke
That's a full night. And McGee's retiring?
Mimi
Yes, this is his final fight. He's been in the UFC for a long time.
Mark
That's worth noting—a veteran's last walk.
Il Polso
- A championship sits unclaimed after Valentina Shevchenko, one of the sport's most dominant champions, was forced to vacate due to injury — leaving Silva and Wang to fight over what she could not defend.
- Payton Talbott arrives in the co-main event riding the momentum of retiring a future Hall of Famer, making his clash with two-time champion Deiveson Figueiredo one of the card's most charged matchups.
- Weight miss drama adds friction before the first punch is thrown, with Esteban Ribovics forfeiting 20 percent of his purse after failing to make weight ahead of his fight with King Green.
- Veterans like Rafael dos Anjos and Court McGee — the latter fighting for the final time — lend the card a bittersweet undercurrent of careers in their closing chapters.
- Fourteen fights across three broadcast windows give the evening the feel of a full day of reckoning, with UFC debuts and short-notice replacements adding unpredictability to every corner of the card.
In Salt Lake City's Delta Center, a vacant throne awaits its claimant as Natalia Silva and Cong Wang meet to fill the void left by Valentina Shevchenko's injury-forced departure from the women's flyweight division. Sport, like nature, abhors a vacuum, and UFC 332 offers not only a coronation but a sprawling tableau of ambition — fourteen fights carrying the hopes of veterans seeking final glory, newcomers chasing their first foothold, and contenders navigating the narrow corridor between obscurity and legacy.
UFC 332 descends on Salt Lake City's Delta Center with a women's flyweight title on the line and fourteen fights spread across an evening that blends coronation with farewell. Natalia Silva and Cong Wang headline the card, competing for a championship vacated when Valentina Shevchenko was forced to step away from the sport due to injury. Whoever wins inherits not just a belt but the weight of a division long defined by one dominant presence.
The co-main event carries its own electricity. Deiveson Figueiredo, a two-time flyweight champion, faces Payton Talbott, who announced himself to the sport in December by defeating Henry Cejudo and ending the Hall of Famer's career. The main card also features Khaos Williams welcoming decorated international champion Roberto Soldic to the UFC, and King Green pursuing a fifth consecutive win — though his opponent, Ribovics, arrives under a cloud after missing weight and forfeiting a portion of his earnings.
The preliminary rounds carry their own stories. Imanol Rodriguez, who earned his UFC contract through both The Ultimate Fighter and the Contender Series, defends an unblemished record. Rafael dos Anjos, once the lightweight champion of the world, returns to the cage against Alexander Hernandez. Johnny Walker steps up to heavyweight for the first time. And Court McGee, a fighter who has called the UFC home for years, will compete for the last time in his professional career.
The broadcast begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+ and UFC Fight Pass, with the main card kicking off at 8:00 p.m. ET on both Paramount+ and CBS.
The UFC is returning to Salt Lake City tonight with a championship on the line. At the Delta Center, Natalia Silva and Cong Wang will fight for the vacant women's flyweight title in the main event of UFC 332, a card that stretches across fourteen fights and features several notable debuts and comebacks.
The title became available when Valentina Shevchenko, the previous champion, vacated the belt due to injury. Silva and Wang now have the chance to claim it. The co-main event pairs Deiveson Figueiredo, a two-time flyweight champion, against Payton Talbott, who made headlines in December by defeating Henry Cejudo and sending the future Hall of Famer into retirement.
The five-fight main card opens in the middleweight division with Roman Kopylov facing Ateba Gautier, who enters the fight undefeated in the UFC. At welterweight, Khaos Williams welcomes Roberto Soldic, a former champion in KSW and ONE Championship, to the promotion. King Green looks to extend his winning streak to five consecutive victories when he takes on Esteban Ribovics, though Ribovics missed weight and will forfeit 20 percent of his purse as a result.
The preliminary card includes nine additional fights. Imanol Rodriguez, a former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter and a Dana White's Contender Series contract winner, will defend his undefeated record against Alden Coria in the featured preliminary bout at flyweight. Damian Pinas attempts to extend his streak of first-round finishes against Andrey Pulyaev. Marcus McGhee welcomes Anthony Romero to the UFC after Romero stepped in on short notice to replace Benardo Sopaj.
Several established fighters are also on the card. Rafael dos Anjos, a former lightweight champion, returns to face Alexander Hernandez. Johnny Walker makes his heavyweight debut against Mick Parkin. Court McGee, a longtime UFC veteran, will compete for the final time in his career when he faces Eric Nolan.
The broadcast schedule begins at 4:00 p.m. ET with the early preliminary card on Paramount+ and UFC Fight Pass. The regular preliminary card follows at 6:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+. The main card starts at 8:00 p.m. ET and will air on both Paramount+ and CBS in the United States.
Citazioni salienti
Payton Talbott sent future UFC Hall of Famer Henry Cejudo into retirement in December— UFC 332 fight card notes
Vuoi la storia completa?
Leggi l'originale su Sports Illustrated ↗